Respiration training machine enabling grasp of result

ABSTRACT

A breathing exerciser includes: a guide unit for guiding an exercise pattern of breathing to a user; a breathing sensor for detecting breathing of the user; a breathing index calculating unit for calculating, based on a signal from the breathing sensor, a breathing index at least one of before and after an exercise period during which the exercise pattern is guided, the breathing index representing a characteristic of a breathing state of the user; and an outcome index calculating unit for calculating an outcome index based on at least two breathing indices, the outcome index representing an outcome of breathing exercise; and an informing unit for informing the outcome index to the user.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a breathing exerciser and moreparticularly to a breathing exerciser that guides an exercise pattern ofbreathing.

BACKGROUND ART

It has been verified that slow deep breathing leads to suppression ofautonomic nerves, providing an effect of decreasing blood pressure. Forexample, the document “Slow Breathing Improves Arterial BaroreflexSensitivity and Decreases Blood Pressure in Essential Hypertension”(hereinafter, referred to as the “Non-Patent Document 1”) by Chacko N.Joseph, et al., in “Hypertension, October 2005”, Volume 46, pp. 714-718,published by the American Heart Association, can be a referencedocument. Therefore, conventionally, as autonomic nervous systemexercise methods and biofeedback, studies have been conducted. Also, anumber of breathing exercisers for that have been proposed.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 62-277976 (hereinafter,referred to as the “Patent Document 1”) has disclosed an inventionrelated to an abdominal breathing exercising apparatus in which a sensorthat detects movement of the abdominal cavity caused by subject'sabdominal breathing is placed on his/her abdomen, a predetermined idealbreathing exercise pattern is generated, an actual berating pattern iscompared with the ideal breathing exercise pattern to determine thedegree of matching, and a result of the determination is informed bysound or photoelectric display. Also, Published Japanese Translation ofPCT Application No. 2005-535378 (hereinafter, referred to as the “PatentDocument 2”) has disclosed an invention of a breathing exerciserincluding a signal generating apparatus that determines a breathingpattern by an input from a breathing sensor.

It has become clear that respiratory standstill during sleep due toairway obstruction or autonomic nervous system abnormalities, which is aso-called “Sleep Apnea Syndrome (SAS)”, not only simply reduces sleepquality, causing drowsiness during daytime active hours but alsopromotes hypertension and thereby induces harmful blood pressurefluctuations, which becomes a cause of many serious diseases such asheart diseases and brain diseases.

As treatment approaches for the SAS, there have been proposed anapparatus (CPAP) that delivers a positive pressure of air to theobstructed airway, a surgical operation for expanding the airway,medical treatment (application of an alveolar surfactant preparation tothe posterior region of the pharynx (see Published Japanese Translationof PCT Application No. 2001-507364 (hereinafter, referred to as the“Patent Document 3”)), enhancement of the muscle groups by musclestrength stimulation exercise by low frequency vibration of the musclegroups of the tongue root in the cervical region (see Japanese PatentApplication Laid-Open No. 2005-237807 (hereinafter, referred to as the“Patent Document 4”)), etc. However, any of the approaches is a greatburden for patients and the current state is that low-burden approachesto the prevention of the SAS have not been proposed.

Therefore, for the prevention of the SAS also, breathing exercise thatpatients can easily do is considered to be useful.

[Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 62-277976

[Patent Document 2] Published Japanese Translation of PCT ApplicationNo. 2005-535378

[Patent Document 3] Published Japanese Translation of PCT ApplicationNo. 2001-507364

[Patent Document 4] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No.2005-237807

[Non-Patent Document 1] Chacko N. Joseph, Cesare Porta, Gaia Casucci,Nadia Casiraghi, Mara Maffeis, Marco Rossi, Luciano Bernardi, “SlowBreathing Improves Arterial Baroreflex Sensitivity and Decreases BloodPressure in Essential Hypertension”, “Hypertension, October 2005”, theAmerican Heart Association, Volume 46, pp. 714-718

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION Problems to be Solved by the Invention

However, both of the Patent Documents 1 and 2 have disclosed techniquesfor merely approximating an actual breathing state to an ideal breathingpattern and information from a breathing sensor is not used as aninformation source for checking an outcome brought about by exercise.Therefore, there is a problem that the user cannot (instantly) grasp anin-situ outcome brought about by exercise, leading to a decrease inmotivation to continue breathing exercise.

The present invention is made to solve problems such as those describedabove and an object of the present invention is therefore to provide abreathing exerciser that enables a user to easily grasp an effectbrought about by breathing exercise.

Means for Solving the Problems

A breathing exerciser according to one aspect of the present inventioncomprises: a guide unit for guiding an exercise pattern of breathing toa user; a detecting unit for detecting breathing of the user; a firstcalculating unit for calculating, based on a signal from the detectingunit, a breathing index at least one of before and after an exerciseperiod during which the exercise pattern is guided, the breathing indexrepresenting a characteristic of a breathing state of the user; a secondcalculating unit for calculating an outcome index based on at least twobreathing indices, the outcome index representing an outcome ofbreathing exercise; and an informing unit for informing the outcomeindex to the user.

Preferably, the first calculating unit calculates two breathing indicesbased on breathings respectively detected before and after the exerciseperiod, and the second calculating unit calculates an outcome index forbefore and after the exercise period, based on the calculated breathingindices.

Preferably, the breathing exerciser further comprises: a storage unitfor storing information on a breathing index which is based on breathingdetected before a previous exercise period, the first calculating unitcalculates a breathing index based on breathing detected before acurrent exercise period, and the second calculating unit calculates anoutcome index for before each exercise period, based on the breathingindex calculated by the first calculating unit and the information on abreathing index stored in the storage unit.

Preferably, the breathing exerciser further comprises: a storage unitfor storing information on a breathing index which is based on breathingdetected after a previous exercise period, the first calculating unitcalculates a breathing index based on breathing detected after a currentexercise period, and the second calculating unit calculates an outcomeindex for after each exercise period, based on the breathing indexcalculated by the first calculating unit and the information on abreathing index stored in the storage unit.

Preferably, the first calculating unit further calculates a plurality ofbreathing indices based on breathings detected for a plurality of timesduring the exercise period, and the second calculating unit furthercalculates an outcome index for during the exercise period, based on thebreathing indices for during the exercise period.

Preferably, the breathing exerciser further comprises: a changing unitfor changing the exercise pattern based on a result of comparisonbetween the outcome index for during the exercise period which iscalculated by the second calculating unit and a predetermined threshold.

A breathing exerciser according to another aspect of the presentinvention comprises: a guide unit for guiding an exercise pattern ofbreathing to a user; a detecting unit for detecting breathing of theuser; a first calculating unit for calculating, based on a signal fromthe detecting unit, a breathing index at least one of before and afteran exercise period during which the exercise pattern is guided, thebreathing index representing a characteristic of a breathing state ofthe user; and an informing unit for informing at least two breathingindices to the user.

Preferably, the breathing index is one of a breathing cycle or a numberof breaths, a balance between an exhalation operation and an inhalationoperation, breathing flow rate, uniformity of the breathing flow rate,and silent property.

More preferably, the breathing exerciser further comprises: a storageunit for storing an outcome index associated with a previous exerciseperiod, and the informing unit further informs a trend between thestored outcome index and the calculated outcome index.

More preferably, the first calculating unit calculates a plurality ofbreathing indices and the breathing exerciser further comprises a thirdcalculating unit for calculating an ideal breathing index based on theplurality of calculated breathing indices and a predeterminedcomputational expression.

EFFECT OF THE INVENTION

According to the present invention, the user can easily grasp an in-situoutcome brought about by breathing exercise. By this, it becomespossible to improve motivation to continue breathing exercise.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic view of a breathing exerciser inan embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an exerciser mainbody of the breathing exerciser in the embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram showing functions of a CPU in thebreathing exerciser in the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an exemplary structure of an exercise resultstorage unit in the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a flow of a breathing exercise process inthe embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a screen to be displayed wheninputting physical information.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an exemplary display of a breathing guide.

FIG. 8 is a diagram for describing a detailed exemplary display of thebreathing guide based on an exercise pattern for during an exerciseperiod.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an exemplary display of information on anoutcome index for before and after exercise.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an exemplary display of a trend of outcomeindices.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an exemplary screen display showing arelationship between values of two breathing indices and a target value,for the case in which the breathing index is of one type.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an exemplary screen display showing arelationship between values of two breathing indices and a target value,for each type of breathing index.

DESCRIPTION OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

1: exerciser main body, 2: breathing sensor, 3: wiring line, 4: displayunit, 5: driver, 10: I/O, 12: memory, 13: timer, 15: A/D converter, 20:CPU, 21: operation unit, 24: speaker, 25: amplifier, 100: breathingexerciser, 122: pattern storage unit, 126: exercise result storage unit,201: guide unit, 202: breathing information obtaining unit, 203:breathing index calculating unit, 204: outcome index calculating unit,and 206: informing unit.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail withreference to the drawings. Note that the same or corresponding parts aredenoted by the same reference numerals throughout the drawings.

First Embodiment For Configuration

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic view of a breathing exerciser100 in a first embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, the breathing exerciser 100 according to thepresent embodiment includes an exerciser main body 1; a breathing sensor2 for detecting user's breathing; and a wiring line 3 for supplying asignal from the breathing sensor 2 into the exerciser main body 1.

The breathing sensor 2 is a mouthpiece-type sensor having a cylindricalform and detects, for example, the number of turns of a propellerprovided inside a cylinder. By this, by the user putting the breathingsensor 2 in his/her mouth and breathing, the flow rate of air (vitalcapacity) passing through the cylinder can be detected.

The exerciser main body 1 includes a display unit 4 provided so that theuser can check display content; and an operation unit 21 provided sothat the user can externally operate the exerciser. The display unit 4is configured by, for example, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display). Theoperation unit 21 includes a plurality of switches for accepting aninput of an instruction from the user, e.g., a menu switch 21.1 foraccepting an instruction to display a menu showing various functions ofthe breathing exerciser 100; a set switch 21.2 for accepting aninstruction to execute each function or each operation; a start switch21.3 for accepting an instruction to start exercise; left and rightscroll switches 21.4; and the like.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the exerciser mainbody 1 of the breathing exerciser 100 in the embodiment of the presentinvention. Referring to FIG. 2, the exerciser main body 1 includes a CPU(Central Processing Unit) 20 for intensively controlling and monitoringeach unit; a memory 12 in which various data and programs are to bestored; a display unit 4; a driver 5 that controls the display operationof the display unit 4; an operation unit 21; a timer 13 that performs atimer operation to output timer data; an amplifier 25; a speaker 24 foroutputting sound through the amplifier 25; an A/D converter 15 forconverting an output signal from the breathing sensor 2 from an analogsignal to a digital signal; and an input/output interface (I/O) 10 thatcontrols input and output of data within the breathing exerciser 100.Timer data outputted from the timer 13 and information inputted to theoperation unit 21 are inputted to the CPU 20 through the I/O 10. The CPU20 controls the operations of the display unit 4 and the speaker 24through the I/O 10.

Note that the breathing sensor 2 is not limited to such a configurationas that described above. For example, the breathing sensor 2 may be amicro pressure sensor that can be attached below the user's nose. Themicro pressure sensor is a sensor that can also capture a change in airpressure which is changed by movement of air. By attaching the micropressure sensor below the nose, a measurement can be performed where theinfluence of disturbance such as the flow of other atmosphere isminimized. Therefore, by attaching the micro pressure sensor so that theflow of air from the nasal cavity can be captured, whether it is aninhalation state or an exhalation state can be distinguished.Alternatively, the breathing sensor 2 may be a temperature sensor. Byattaching the temperature sensor below the nose, a breathing state canbe detected from a difference in air temperature between exhalation andoutside air (inhalation).

FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram showing functions of the CPU 20 inthe breathing exerciser 100 in the embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 3, the CPU 20 includes a guide unit 201 for guiding anexercise pattern of breathing to the user; a breathing informationobtaining unit 202 for obtaining a detection signal (hereinafter,referred to as “breathing information”) from the breathing sensor 2; abreathing index calculating unit 203 for calculating a breathing indexrepresenting a characteristic of a user's breathing state, based on theobtained breathing information; an outcome index calculating unit 204for calculating an outcome index representing an outcome of breathingexercise, based on at least two breathing indices calculated by thebreathing index calculating unit 203; and an informing unit 206 forinforming the outcome index calculated by the outcome index calculatingunit 204 to the user.

The “exercise period” is a period during which an exercise pattern isguided by the guide unit 201. The guide unit 201 specifically performs aprocess of displaying information (hereinafter, also referred to as a“breathing guide”) for guiding to breathing which is based on anexercise pattern, on the display unit 4. Note that although in thepresent embodiment description is made such that an exercise pattern isguided using the display unit 4, an exercise pattern may be guided bysound by the speaker 24.

The breathing information obtaining unit 202 obtains, as breathinginformation, information on flow rate from the breathing sensor 2 for apredetermined period of time (e.g., one minute) at predetermined timing.In the present embodiment, breathing information is obtained before theexercise period and after the exercise period.

The breathing index calculating unit 203 calculates, as a breathingindex, for example, the number of breaths, i.e., the number of breathsper certain period of time (e.g., one minute), based on the obtainedbreathing information (information on flow rate). That is, the number ofbreaths is calculated by applying a predetermined algorithm to theobtained breathing information. For a procedure of calculation of thenumber of breaths, any known procedure which is conventionally providedcan be used and thus a detailed description thereof is omitted here.Note that instead of/in addition to the number of breaths, otherbreathing indices, e.g., a breathing cycle, a balance between anexhalation operation and an inhalation operation, breathing flow rate,uniformity of breathing flow rate, silent property, etc., may becalculated. These breathing indices can also be calculated usingpublicly known techniques.

Based on the calculated breathing indices, the outcome index calculatingunit 204 calculates outcome indices respectively for before eachexercise and for before and after exercise. Each outcome index isspecifically calculated as, for example, a difference between twobreathing indices or a ratio between two breathing indices. In thepresent embodiment, it is assumed that as an outcome index the degree ofreduction in the number of breaths is calculated.

An outcome index for before exercise is calculated using a breathingindex which is based on breathing information detected before(immediately before) a previous exercise period and a breathing indexwhich is based on breathing information detected before (immediatelybefore) a current exercise period. The “previous exercise period” refersto an exercise period in a breathing exercise process which is performedearlier than a current breathing exercise process, and may be, forexample, the first exercise period or may be the last exercise period.In the following description, it is assumed that an outcome index forbefore each exercise is calculated based on a breathing index obtainedbefore the first exercise period and a breathing index obtained before acurrent exercise period.

An outcome index for before and after exercise is calculated using abreathing index which is based on breathing information detected before(immediately before) the current exercise period and a breathing indexwhich is based on breathing information detected after the currentexercise period (after a predetermined period of time).

Although in the present embodiment outcome indices are thus calculatedbefore each exercise and before and after exercise, at least one of suchoutcome indices may be calculated. Alternatively, in addition tothem/instead of them, for example, an outcome index for after eachexercise may be calculated. Namely, an outcome index for after eachexercise may be calculated using a breathing index which is based onbreathing information detected after a previous exercise period (after apredetermined period of time) and a breathing index which is based onbreathing information detected after the current exercise period (aftera predetermined period of time). Alternatively, an outcome index forduring the exercise period may be calculated based on a plurality ofpieces of breathing information detected during the exercise period, oran outcome index may be calculated based on a breathing index obtainedbefore the current exercise period and a breathing index obtained duringthe current exercise period.

The CPU 20 may further calculate a change (trend) of the outcome ofbreathing exercise, based on a difference or ratio between a pastoutcome index and a current outcome index. Alternatively, a currenttarget value may be computed based on a predetermined computationalexpression and a past outcome index to calculate a shift of a currentoutcome index from the target value.

The informing unit 206 specifically performs a process of displayinginformation on the calculated outcome indices, on the display unit 4.The informing unit 206 may further display a trend of the outcomeindices on the display unit 4.

Note that the operations of the functional blocks in the CPU 20 may beimplemented by executing software stored in the memory 12 or at leastone of them may be implemented by hardware.

The memory 12 is a non-volatile memory, e.g., flash memory. The memory12 includes a pattern storage unit 122 in which data on a plurality ofexercise patterns is stored in advance; and exercise result storage unit126 for storing exercise results. Note that the storage units do notneed to be included in the same storage medium (memory 12) and may beincluded in different storage media.

In the pattern storage unit 122, a plurality of exercise pattern datawith different load levels are stored in advance.

The exercise pattern data includes information on at least exercise time(exercise period) or the number of breaths, a breathing cycle, and thedepth of breathing. The load level is determined by, for example, atleast one of parameters including at least exercise time or the numberof breaths, a breathing cycle, and the depth of breathing. In thepresent embodiment, it is assumed that the load level is determined by abreathing cycle (the number of breaths per certain period of time).

Each exercise pattern data may include a plurality of pattern data withdifferent load levels. Namely, a plurality of patterns with differentparameters of at least one type (e.g., the depth of breathing) may beincluded in each exercise pattern.

Next, a specific example of a data structure in the exercise resultstorage unit 126 will be described with reference to FIG. 4. Referringto FIG. 4, in the exercise result storage unit 126, exercise results arestored in the unit of record R. The record R includes date and time dataDT indicating exercise data and time; number-of-breaths data RCindicating the number of breaths (breathing index) for before exercise;outcome index data Elb indicating the degree of reduction in the numberof breaths (outcome index) for before each exercise; and outcome indexdata Elba indicating the degree of reduction in the number of breaths(outcome index) for before and after exercise. Note that a storageformat is not limited to the one using the record R and can be any aslong as such data is stored so as to be associated with each exercise.

For Operation

A breathing exercise process in the embodiment of the present inventionshown in a flowchart in FIG. 5 is stored in advance in the memory 12 asa program and a function of the breathing exercise process isimplemented by the CPU 20 reading and executing this program. Note thatfor simplification of description it is assumed that a series of currentbreathing exercise process is an nth one (n: natural number).

Referring to FIG. 5, first, the CPU 20 accepts an input of physicalinformation from the user (step S2). The physical information isinformation indicating a user's physical characteristic and includes atleast one of, for example, a blood pressure value, height, weight, age,and sex. Here, it is assumed that information on height and weight isaccepted as physical information.

Then, based on the accepted physical information, an exercise pattern tobe guided to the user in this breathing exercise process is determined(step S4). Specifically, for example, a process such as that shown belowis performed. An association table in which height and weight areassociated with identification information on an exercise pattern isstored in advance in, for example, the pattern storage unit 122. The CPU20 identifies identification information associated with the user'sheight and weight in the association table. In this manner, an exercisepattern indicated by the identified identification information isdetermined as a guide target exercise pattern. The CPU 20 reads data onthe guide target exercise pattern from the pattern storage unit 122.

Then, user's breathing is detected by the breathing sensor 2 (step S6).That is, the breathing information obtaining unit 202 obtains breathinginformation from the breathing sensor 2. The obtaining of breathinginformation is performed for a predetermined period of time (e.g., oneminute) (NO in step S8). If it is determined that the predeterminedperiod of time has elapsed from the start of detection of breathing (YESin step S8), then processing proceeds to step S10.

In step S10, the breathing index calculating unit 203 performs acalculation/storage process of a breathing index for before exercise,based on the breathing information detected before exercise. Namely, thebreathing index calculating unit 203 calculates the number of breathsbased on the breathing information detected in step S6. Then, data onthe calculated number of breaths (data on the breathing index) is storedin the exercise result storage unit 126 as number-of-breaths data RCn.Note that at the time of detecting breathing or before the detection,the user may be urged to do normal breathing (not to take a deep breathor a quick breath).

Subsequently, a calculation/informing/storage process of an outcomeindex for before each exercise is performed (step S11). Specifically,the outcome index calculating unit 204 calculates an outcome index,i.e., the degree of reduction in the number of breathes, for before eachexercise, based on the number-of-breaths data RCn for the current timewhich is calculated and stored in step S10 and number-of-breaths dataRC1 for the first time. Information indicating the calculated degree ofreduction in the number of breaths is displayed in a predetermined areaof the display unit 4. By this, the degree of reduction in the number ofbreaths for before the current exercise with reference to the number ofbreaths for before the first exercise can be informed to the user.Furthermore, the calculated degree of reduction in the number of breathsfor before each exercise is stored as outcome index data Elbn.

Next, the guide unit 201 guides the exercise pattern determined in stepS4 to the user (step S12). Specifically, based on the data on theexercise pattern read in step S4, a breathing guide (e.g., how much moreexhalation and inhalation should be performed) is displayed on thedisplay unit 4. The process in step S12 is performed until the exerciseperiod has elapsed (NO in step S14).

Note that although in the present embodiment after the process in stepS11 processing automatically transitions to the exercise period,processing may be transition to the exercise period when an instructionto start exercise from the user is inputted.

Also, during the exercise period too, detection of breathing andcalculation of a breathing index may be performed at predeterminedtiming. Alternatively, an outcome index may be further calculated basedon two calculated breathing indices for during the exercise period. Insuch a case, the exercise pattern being executed may be changed based onthe breathing indices or outcome index for during the exercise period.Specifically, for example, when, as described above, each exercisepattern includes a plurality of patterns and a setting is such that theload level of the pattern increases along the time axis, if thebreathing index or outcome index exceeds a predetermined upper limit,then a pattern with a next load level may be skipped. That is, when thebreathing index or outcome index exceeds the upper limit, a pattern witha two-step higher load level than that of the pattern being executed maybe executed. When the breathing index or outcome index falls below apredetermined lower limit, the pattern being executed may be repeated.Note that these processes can be performed by publicly known techniques,e.g., using a pointer. By thus dynamically changing the exercise patternbased on the value of the breathing index or outcome index for duringthe exercise period, a breathing guide according to the degree ofachievement of the user can be displayed. Note that when detection ofbreathing is thus performed also during the exercise period, it isdesirable that the breathing sensor 2 is of a type that is attachedbelow the user's nose (e.g., a micro pressure sensor), rather than of amouthpiece-type.

If in step S14 it is determined that the exercise period has elapsed(YES in step S14), then processing proceeds to step S16. In step S16, itis determined whether a predetermined period of time (e.g., two minutes)has elapsed after the exercise period is finished, and processing waitsuntil the predetermined period of time has elapsed (NO in step S16). Itis desirable that the predetermined period of time here is such a periodof time that is assumed to be required for the user to return to anormal breathing state after ending the breathing exercise.

If the predetermined period of time has elapsed (YES in step S16), thenuser's breathing is detected by the breathing sensor 2 (step S18). As isthe case with before exercise, here also, the breathing informationobtaining unit 202 obtains breathing information until a predeterminedperiod of time (e.g., one minute) has elapsed from the start of thedetection of breathing (NO in step S20). If it is determined that thepredetermined period of time has elapsed from the start of the detectionof breathing (YES in step S20), then processing proceeds to step S22.

In step S22, the breathing index calculating unit 203 performs acalculation process of a breathing index for after exercise, based onthe detected breathing information. That is, the breathing indexcalculating unit 203 calculates the number of breaths based on thebreathing information detected in step S18. Note that at the time ofdetecting breathing or before the detection, the user may be urged to donormal breathing.

Subsequently, a calculation/informing/storage process of an outcomeindex for before and after exercise is performed (step S24).Specifically, the outcome index calculating unit 204 calculates anoutcome index, i.e., the degree of reduction in the number of breaths,for before and after exercise, based on the breathing index (the numberof breaths) for before exercise which is calculated in step S10 and thebreathing index (the number of breaths) for after exercise which iscalculated in step S22. Information on the calculated degree ofreduction in the number of breaths is displayed in a predetermined areaof the display unit 4. By this, the degree of reduction in the number ofbreaths for after exercise with reference to the number of breaths forbefore exercise can be informed to the user. Furthermore, the calculateddegree of reduction in the number of breaths for before and afterexercise is stored as outcome index data Elban.

With the above, the breathing exercise process ends.

Note that it is desirable that the user is able to view, by apredetermined operation, information on outcome indices stored in theexercise result storage unit 126 in the above-described breathingexercise process. Specifically, for example, by performing an operationsuch as that shown below, information on past outcome indices can beprovided to the user. Namely, for example, by the user pressing the menuswitch 21.1, information on a plurality of functions including “viewingof outcomes” is displayed on the display unit 4. Then, by the useroperating the scroll switches 21.4 and the set switch 21.2 to select thefunction of viewing of outcomes, by the CPU 20 the latest outcome indexdata Elbn and Elban stored in the exercise result storage unit 126 areread and displayed on the display unit 4. Furthermore, by operating thescroll switches 21.4, past outcome index data Elbn and Elban may besequentially read and displayed on the display unit 4.

Alternatively, instead of this/in addition to this, after the process instep S24, a trend of exercise indices may be automatically displayed.That is, when there are past outcome indices (outcome indices associatedwith a previous exercise period), the informing unit 206 displays atrend between the past outcome indices and current outcome indices onthe display unit 4.

For Exemplary Display

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a screen to be displayed wheninputting physical information in step S2. As shown in FIG. 6, an item(height or weight) of physical information being inputted is displayedblinking. The physical information can be inputted using the scrollswitches 21.4 and the set switch 21.2. Note that in order that aplurality of users can use the exerciser a user number may be inputted.In this case, exercise results are stored so as to be associated withthe inputted user number.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an exemplary display of a breathing guide instep S12. Referring to FIG. 7, a breathing guide is performed byhighlighting/not highlighting 14 blocks displayed in a verticaldirection on the screen. Also, the number of exercises (nth time) andremaining time are displayed in their respective predetermined areas.

Detailed exemplary display of the breathing guide will be described withreference to FIG. 8. (A) of FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of anexercise pattern and (B) is a diagram showing an exemplary display ofthe breathing guide at arbitrary times t1 to t8 of the exercise patternshown in (A).

Referring to (A) of FIG. 8, an exercise period based on the exercisepattern shown here includes a warm-up period, a substantial exerciseperiod, and a cool-down period. That is, the exercise pattern includes aplurality of patterns.

Referring to (B) of FIG. 8, in each breathing guide, a block at alocation indicating the depth of breathing is fixedly displayedhighlighted (displayed darkened). In the guides at times t1, t2, and t3during the warm-up period, fifth blocks 81 and 82 respectively locatedupward and downward from the center are fixedly displayed highlighted.In the breathing guide at time t1, the first to third blocks locatedupward from the center are displayed highlighted and the block 81 isdisplayed blinking. By this, it is possible to inform how much more timehe/she should inhale to the user. In the breathing guide at time t2,similarly, the block 81 is displayed blinking and all of the first tofourth blocks located upward from the center are displayed highlighted.By this, it is possible to inform that it is the end of an inhalationperiod.

At times t4, t5, and t6 during the substantial exercise period, seventhblocks (blocks at both ends) 83 and 84 respectively located upward anddownward from the center are fixedly displayed highlighted. In thebreathing guide at time t5, the block 84 is displayed blinking andblocks other than the block 83 are displayed not highlighted (displayedblanked). By this, it is guided that inhalation is finished and thus theuser should move to exhalation.

At times t7 and t8 during the cool-down period, as with the warm-upperiod, fifth blocks 81 and 82 respectively located upward and downwardfrom the center are fixedly displayed highlighted. In the breathingguide at time t7, the block 82 is displayed blinking and the first blocklocated upward from the center is displayed highlighted. By this, it isguided that an exhalation state should be continued for on the order ofanother one-half.

Note that the display mode of the breathing guide is not limited tohighlight/no highlight such as that described above; for example, thedisplay color of blocks may be changed.

Referring to FIG. 9, the outcome index is, for example, level-displayed.Level-display is performed by highlighting/not highlighting 14 blocks,as with the breathing guide. Of the 14 blocks, seven blocks displayed onthe upper side represent improvement and seven blocks displayed on thelower side represent deterioration. Note that it is assumed that levels(level −7 to level +7) are predetermined according to the value of thedegree of reduction in the number of breaths.

In FIG. 9, among the seven blocks located on the upper side, the firstand second blocks from the center are displayed highlighted (displayeddarkened) and the third block from the center is displayed blinking. Bythis, the user is informed that the number of breaths for after exerciseis reduced (improved) by three levels, as compared with the number ofbreaths for before exercise. In this case, it is desirable to furtherdisplay the number of breaths (breathing index) for before exercise andthe number of breaths (breathing index) for after exercise. By this, theuser can grasp the degree of improvement/deterioration in breathingindex (the number of breaths) in greater detail.

Note that although here information on the outcome index is informed bythe level of improvement/deterioration, the informing form is notlimited thereto; for example, the value of the outcome index (the degreeof reduction in the number of breaths) itself may be informed. Whendisplaying information on the outcome index, the number of exercises maybe further displayed.

In FIG. 10, there are displayed a trend of outcome indices for beforeeach exercise and a trend of outcome indices for before and afterexercise, for the first time to the current time. In the drawing, E1,E2, . . . , En each represent an outcome index for before and afterexercise, i.e., an outcome per exercise. Et1, Et2, . . . , Etn eachrepresent an outcome index for before each exercise, i.e., a cumulativeoutcome of exercise according to the progression of exercise. By thetrends of outcome indices thus being displayed, the user can visuallygrasp short-term/long-term outcomes of exercise.

Note that instead of showing trends of outcome indices for the firsttime to the current time, trends of outcome indices for a certain periodof time (e.g., for one week) may be displayed.

An outcome index for during exercise or for after each exercise may befurther displayed. Alternatively, the user may be allowed to select anoutcome index which he/she wants to be displayed and a trend of theselected outcome index may be displayed.

As described above, in the present embodiment, an outcome indexrepresenting an outcome of breathing exercise is informed to the user.However, as long as the user can grasp an outcome of breathing exercise,for example, instead of an outcome index, two breathing indices (e.g., abreathing index for before the first exercise and a breathing index forbefore current exercise, etc.) may be informed to the user. In thiscase, the outcome index calculating unit 204 in FIG. 3 may not beincluded in the CPU 20. Also, instead of step S11 in FIG. 5, a breathingindex for before current exercise calculated in step S10 and a breathingindex for before the first exercise are informed. Specifically, forexample, these two breathing indices are simultaneously or alternatelydisplayed on the display unit 4. Similarly, instead of step S24, abreathing index for before current exercise calculated in step S10 and abreathing index for after current exercise calculated in step S22 may beinformed.

When the informing unit 206 informs two breathing indices, a targetvalue of the breathing index (ideal breathing index) may be furtherinformed along with the two breathing indices. Such a target value iscalculated (determined) based on, for example, user's physicalinformation and a predetermined computational expression or a table.Exemplary screen display for this case is shown in FIG. 10. It isassumed that such a target value for each physical information ispredetermined by, for example, clinical experiment, etc.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an exemplary screen display showing arelationship between values of two breathing indices and a target value.

Referring to FIG. 11, in the case of one type of breathing index, bargraphs respectively corresponding to a value of a breathing index forthe first time, a value of a breathing index for the current time, andthe target value are displayed side by side. By this, the user caneasily grasp how much closer he/she is to the target value. Since eachvalue is shown by graph-display, an outcome of breathing exercise can bevisually grasped. Note that although here pieces of information on therespective values are simultaneously shown, the pieces of information onthe respective values may be selectively switched and displayed.

Note also that although, as described above, in the present embodimentdescription is made such that one type of breathing index and an outcomeindex for the one type of breathing index are calculated, two or moretypes of breathing indices and outcome indices respectively for thebreathing indices may be calculated and two or more types of outcomeindices may be informed to the user. That is, the breathing indexcalculating unit 203 may (simultaneously) calculate two or more types ofbreathing indices (e.g., the number of breaths and breathing flow rate,etc.) based on detected breathing information. Alternatively, theoutcome index calculating unit 204 may calculate outcome indices basedon two values calculated for each type (of breathing index).

Alternatively, when two or more types of breathing indices arecalculated, information on two values (e.g., the number of breaths forbefore exercise and the number of breaths for after exercise; breathingflow rate for before exercise and breathing flow rate for afterexercise; etc.) may be informed for each type. In such a case too, arelationship between values of breathing indices and a target value maybe further shown for each type. Exemplary display for this is shown inFIG. 12.

As shown in FIG. 12, when there are a plurality of types of breathingindices, a relationship between values of two breathing indices and atarget value for each type may be displayed in graph form so that thedegree of achievement of outcomes can be seen. Here, an example is shownof the case of using breathing indices A to E. It is assumed that thebreathing indices are, for example, as follows.

Breathing index A: The number of breaths or a breathing cycle,

Breathing index B: Time balance between an exhalation operation and aninhalation operation,

Breathing index C: Breathing flow rate (vital capacity),

Breathing index D: Uniformity of breathing flow rate (stable breathing),and

Breathing index E: Silent property of breathing (silent breathing).

The breathing index A represents the time of one cycle of an exhalationoperation and an inhalation operation and it is desirable that the valueis larger. The breathing index B represents the ratio between exhalationtime and inhalation time and it is desirable that both have the sametime. The breathing index B may be calculated by, for example, adifference between the exhalation time and the inhalation time. Thebreathing index C represents vital capacity which is measured from anamount upon exhalation (the amount the user breathes out) and it isdesirable that the value is larger. The breathing index D represents theuniformity of air flow rate during inhalation time and it is desirablethat stable time is longer. The breathing index D represents, forexample, time during which flow rate is within a range of 10% higher orlower than average flow rate in one breathing cycle and it is desirablethat the value is larger. The breathing index E represents noise thatoccurs from mouth or nose upon breathing and it is desirable that thevalue is smaller. Note that to calculate all these breathing indices itis preferable that the breathing sensor 2 includes a mouthpiece-typesensor and a microphone.

Also, based on at least two of the above-described breathing indices Ato E, the CPU 20 may further calculate an ideal breathing indexrepresenting how much closer the user's breathing state is to an idealbreathing state. The ideal breathing index is calculated by, forexample, a computational expression such as that shown below.

Ideal breathing index=(1−A′)+B′+(1−C′)+(1−D′)+E′/30

A′=One cycle time (breathing index A)/Standard time

B′=Difference between exhalation time and inhalation time (breathingindex B)/One cycle time (breathing index A)

C′=Vital capacity (breathing index C)/Standard vital capacity

D′=Time during which flow rate is within a range of 10% higher or lowerthan average flow rate in one breathing cycle (breathing index D)/Onecycle time (breathing index A)

E′=Noise volume dB (breathing index E)-Standard noise volume dB

It can be considered that the smaller the value of the ideal breathingindex computed by the above-described computational expression, thecloser it is to the ideal breathing state. Note that it is preferablethat the above-described computational expression for the idealbreathing index is predetermined based on clinical experiment, etc. Inthe computational expression for the ideal breathing index, thecoefficient may be increased according to the weight of each value(breathing index). Two calculated ideal breathing indices (e.g., anideal breathing index for before exercise and an ideal breathing indexfor after exercise) may be informed to the user by the informing unit206.

Note that in the present embodiment description is made such that dataon a plurality of exercise patterns is stored in advance in the patternstorage unit 122. However, the CPU 20 may calculate each parameter of anexercise pattern based on physical information on a subject and apredetermined computational expression. Alternatively, only one exercisepattern may be stored in advance.

A breathing exercise method to be performed by the breathing exerciser100 of the present invention can also be provided in the form of aprogram. Such a program can also be provided in the form of a programproduct by storing the program on an optical medium, such as a CD-ROM(Compact Disk-ROM), or in a computer-readable storage medium, such as amemory card. Alternatively, the program can also be provided by downloadvia a network.

A program product to be provided is executed by being installed in aprogram storage unit such as the memory 12. Note that the programproduct includes a program itself and a storage medium storing theprogram.

The embodiments disclosed herein are to be considered in all respects asillustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention isindicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoingdescription, and all changes that come within the meaning and range ofequivalency of the appended claims are intended to be embraced therein.

1. A breathing exerciser comprising: a guide unit for guiding anexercise pattern of breathing to a user; a detecting unit for detectingbreathing of the user; a first calculating unit for calculating, basedon a signal from the detecting unit, a breathing index at least one ofbefore and after an exercise period during which the exercise pattern isguided, the breathing index representing a characteristic of a breathingstate of the user; a second calculating unit for calculating an outcomeindex based on at least two breathing indices, the outcome indexrepresenting an outcome of breathing exercise; and an informing unit forinforming the outcome index to the user.
 2. The breathing exerciseraccording to claim 1, wherein the first calculating unit calculates twobreathing indices based on breathings respectively detected before andafter the exercise period, and the second calculating unit calculatesthe outcome index for before and after the exercise period, based on thecalculated breathing indices.
 3. The breathing exerciser according toclaim 1 further comprising: a storage unit for storing information onthe breathing index which is based on the breathing detected before theprevious exercise period, wherein the first calculating unit calculatesthe breathing index based on the breathing detected before the currentexercise period, and the second calculating unit calculates the outcomeindex for before each exercise period, based on the breathing indexcalculated by the first calculating unit and the information on thebreathing index stored in the storage unit.
 4. The breathing exerciseraccording to claim 1 further comprising: a storage unit for storinginformation on the breathing index which is based on the breathingdetected after the previous exercise period, wherein the firstcalculating unit calculates the breathing index based on the breathingdetected after the current exercise period, and the second calculatingunit calculates the outcome index for after each exercise period, basedon the breathing index calculated by the first calculating unit and theinformation on the breathing index stored in the storage unit.
 5. Thebreathing exerciser according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein thefirst calculating unit further calculates a plurality of breathingindices based on breathings detected a plurality of times during theexercise period, and the second calculating unit further calculates theoutcome index for during the exercise period, based on the breathingindices for during the exercise period.
 6. The breathing exerciseraccording to claim 5 further comprising: a changing unit for changingthe exercise pattern based on a result of comparison between the outcomeindex for during the exercise period which is calculated by the secondcalculating unit and a predetermined threshold.
 7. The breathingexerciser according to claim 1, wherein the breathing index is one of abreathing cycle or a number of breaths, a balance between an exhalationoperation and an inhalation operation, breathing flow rate, uniformityof the breathing flow rate, and silent property.
 8. A breathingexerciser comprising: a guide unit for guiding an exercise pattern ofbreathing to a user; a detecting unit for detecting breathing of theuser; a first calculating unit for calculating, based on a signal fromthe detecting unit, a breathing index at least one of before and afteran exercise period during which the exercise pattern is guided, thebreathing index representing a characteristic of a breathing state ofthe user; and an informing unit for informing at least two breathingindices to the user.
 9. The breathing exerciser according to claim 8,wherein the breathing index is one of a breathing cycle or a number ofbreaths, a balance between an exhalation operation and an inhalationoperation, breathing flow rate, uniformity of the breathing flow rate,and silent property.